CompTIA CySA+

CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) is an IT workforce certification that applies behavioral analytics to networks and devices to prevent, detect and combat cybersecurity threats.

The CSA+ certification acronym has changed to CySA+. CompTIA and its partners will make the change by June 29th, 2018. The exam ​code will remain the same.

Why is it different?

CySA+ is the only intermediate high-stakes cybersecurity analyst certification with performance-based questions covering security analytics, intrusion detection and response. High-stakes exams are proctored at a Pearson VUE testing center in a highly secure environment. CySA+ is the most up-to-date security analyst certification that covers advanced persistent threats in a post-2014 cybersecurity environment.

About the exam

As attackers have learned to evade traditional signature-based solutions, such as firewalls, an analytics-based approach within the IT security industry is increasingly important for most organizations. The behavioral analytics skills covered by CySA+ identify and combat malware, and advanced persistent threats (APTs), resulting in enhanced threat visibility across a broad attack surface.

CompTIA CySA+ is for IT professionals looking to gain the following security analyst skills:

Perform data analysis and interpret the results to identify vulnerabilities, threats and risks to an organization.

Configure and use threat-detection tools.

Secure and protect applications and systems within an organization.

CompTIA CySA+ meets the ISO 17024 standard and is approved by U.S. Department of Defense to fulfill Directive 8570.01-M requirements. It is compliant with government regulations under the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA).

CompTIA Certification Pathway

CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) focuses on defense through incident detection and response at the intermediate-skills level of the cybersecurity career pathway. Enter where appropriate for you. Consider your experience and existing certifications or course of study.

What Skills Will You Learn?

THREAT MANAGEMENT

VULNERABILITY MANAGEMENT

Implement vulnerability management process and analyze results of the scan

SECURITY ARCHITECTURE & TOOL SETS

Use data to recommend remediation of security issues related to identity and access management and recommend implementation strategy while participating in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

CYBER-INCIDENT RESPONSE

Distinguish threat data to determine incident impact and prepare a toolkit with appropriate forensics tools, communication strategy, and best practices as a response

Organizations that have contributed to the development of CySA+

Jobs that use CompTIA CySA+

IT Security Analyst

Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst

Vulnerability Analyst

Cybersecurity Specialist

Threat Intelligence Analyst

Security Engineer

Cybersecurity Analyst

Exam Details

Exam Codes

CS0-001

Launch Date

February 15, 2017

Exam Description

The CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification verifies that successful candidates have the knowledge and skills required to configure and use threat detection tools, perform data analysis and interpret the results to identify vulnerabilities, threats and risks to an organization, with the end goal of securing and protecting applications and systems within an organization.

Number of Questions

Maximum of 85 questions

Type of Questions

Multiple choice and performance-based

Length of Test

165 minutes

Passing Score

​750 (on a scale of 100-900)

Recommended Experience

Network+, Security+ or equivalent knowledge.
Minimum of 3-4 years of hands-on information security or related experience. While there is no required prerequisite, CySA+ is intended to follow CompTIA Security+ or equivalent experience and has a technical, hands-on focus.

What people are saying
about CompTIA ​CySA+

“We’re coming up on catastrophic conditions – if we’re not already there – in the labor market in terms of the gap between companies unable to find or breed (internally) or have sufficient talent available to them to do what they want to do.”

David Foote, Co-founder of IT employment research firm Foote Partners

How Does CompTIA CySA+ Compare?

​

EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)

Performance Based Questions

✔

​Vendor Neutral

Yes

Yes

Yes

Experience Level

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Exam Focus

Security analytics, intrusion detection and response

Penetration Testing

Intrusion detection

Exam Preparation

CompTIA CertMaster Practice: Review for Your Certification Exam

CompTIA CertMaster Practice for CySA+ is an adaptive eLearning tool that helps you prepare for your CySA+ exam. It verifies what you already know and identifies knowledge gaps to focus your studies on what you need the most. Master the CySA+ curriculum and test with confidence with CompTIA CertMaster Practice.

Sign Up for a Free Trial Now

Learn with Official CompTIA eBooks

CompTIA eBooks help you prepare for your certification exam as only CompTIA can. Industry-leading experts and trusted content give you the knowledge you need to pass your certification exam and rise in your IT career.

Instructor-Led Training

Instructor-led training provides a comfortable teaching environment with instructors that are familiar with the certification process and can help you master your certification exam. Find your instructor now.

Find a CompTIA Authorized Training Provider Partner

Ready for the Test?

When you’ve completed your training and you know you can take your certification exam with confidence, head over to the CompTIA Marketplace and purchase your exam voucher that you will need to sign up for the test.

Renewal

Keep your certification up to date with CompTIA’s Continuing Education (CE) program. It’s designed to be a continued validation of your expertise and a tool to expand your skillset. It’s also the ace up your sleeve when you’re ready to take the next step in your career.

Get the most out of your certification
Information technology is an incredibly dynamic field, creating new opportunities and challenges every day. Participating in our Continuing Education program will enable you to stay current with new and evolving technologies and remain a sought-after IT and security expert.

The CompTIA Continuing Education program
Your CompTIA CySA+ certification is good for three years from the date of your exam. The CE program allows you to extend your certification in three-year intervals through activities and training that relate to the content of your certification.

It’s easy to renew
You can participate in a number of activities and training programs, including higher certifications, to renew your CompTIA CySA+ certification. Complete CertMaster CE, an online, self-paced CE course, or collect at least 60 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in three years and upload them to your certification account, and your CompTIA CySA+ certification will automatically renew.